Our Best Tips for Saving Money When You are Older

According to Northwestern Mutual, 21% of Americans have no savings for retirement. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) states around 29% of homes age 55 and older have neither savings for retirement nor a pension for supplemental income.

These numbers might be startling but it’s true and unexpected. However, we have some tips for saving money. It’s crucial to bear in mind that it’s not too late for you to conserve some money for later in life, even after retirement.

If you have been worried about saving money and retirement is breathing down your neck we have 5 tips for saving money, even if you’re older and feel you have less time.

What You Need to Understand About Retirement and Saving Money

Retirement is on the rise. It’s been confirmed by Yahoo Finance in 2018 that almost 10,000 individuals are turning 65 years old every day. Over the next 10 years or so that will rise to 12,000 a day.

Not only are more Americans turning 65, but they’re also living more than 20 years after the conventional retirement. The Miami Herald discovered the typical 65-year-old American male will live to be almost 86 years of age, while the typical 65-year-old American female will live to almost 88 years of age.

A big problem with this is that many aren’t sure just how much they should save for retirement. The 19th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey, launched in 2019, discovered 46% of Americans are just picking a number on how much cash they require to retire. Simple guessing is not going to foster a retirement of security.

With increasing life span and monetary unpredictability leading up to retirement, here are 5 tips to save that can get on track when you’re older and want to save for retirement

Is it Far Too Late to Begin Saving Money?

One important thing to remember is that it’s never too late to begin saving money and spending wisely. Starting today will put you in a better place later on. This doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and enjoy life. However, it does mean you should put thought into what you’re gaining from your spending in both the long term and the short term. Learning how to make smart financial decisions benefits people of all ages.

Here are a few ways many people have found to help save. While it’s possible that not all of these suggestions may fit your lifestyle, they may inspire you to find other ways to save.

Look into Public Transport and Other Benefits

Utilizing public transport supplies lots of advantages if it’s available to you. And it’s a great method to get out in the neighborhood and see some brand-new sights. It saves on the cost of a vehicle, insurance payments, maintenance, and more. It also allows you to do things you enjoy as you’re on your way to your next destination. You could spend the time reading, listening to audiobooks, planning your next vacation, or any other hobby that isn’t possible when you’re behind the wheel.

If you utilize transport like a train or light rail, you’ll constantly understand how long it will take you to get someplace, because you do not have to stress about traffic. You can also look into the National Council on Aging here you can learn about public programs that can offer ways to decrease expenses

Update Your 401(k) And Specific Retirement Account (IRA) Contributions

As soon as you turn 70 1/2, you are no longer permitted to add to a conventional IRA. You can still add to a Roth IRA, nevertheless, so make certain you have one established. You can contribute part of your wage to a 401(k) if you do opt-out of retirement and continue to work. Talk to one of our advisors here at Virtus Wealth Management to learn more about your options and what you’re able to do to work toward your goals.

Leading us into the next of our 5 tips for saving money

Take Pleasure in Tax-Free Retirement Earnings

Depending on your age, you may not be familiar with the distinction between a Traditional IRA (specific retirement account) and a Roth retirement plan. The distinction revolves around the taxes.

The Traditional IRA provides you a tax-break instantly. Money is deposited pre-tax. When you withdraw cash out of your account in retirement, you pay your earnings taxes at that time. On the contrary, a Roth IRA is everything about postponed satisfaction. What does this imply? It implies that you pay your taxes in advance. This makes your withdrawals tax-free throughout your retirement!

Tax diversity throughout retirement is a big element to think about.  Our advisors here at Virtus Wealth Management have the skill and understanding to show you how both options have their benefits so you can make the best decision for yourself.

Consider the Conversion of Your Retirement Plan

Do you already have an IRA? Have you considered transforming your Traditional IRA into a Roth IRA? Roth IRA conversion is the term for moving funds from a Traditional IRA (pre-tax) to a Roth IRA (post-tax). Given that, typically speaking, the funds are moving from pre-tax to post-tax, you need to pay taxes on the funds being moved. To comprehend the benefits and drawbacks of both Traditional IRA’s and Roth IRA’s need to be used, it is very important to acknowledge the essential distinctions between these two accounts.

With a Traditional IRA, you contribute pre-tax cash and it grows tax-deferred up until you withdraw it. When you make a withdrawal, you are taxed on your pre-tax contributions along with the gains (and if the withdrawal is made before age 59 1/2 a 10% charge tax might be added). However, you will need to begin taking withdrawals at age 70 1/2, whether you require the earnings or not.  At this time due to COVID-19 RMD’s are not required.

Speak with an advisor here at Virtus Wealth Management regarding conversion is the best step if you have questions. We have experience and knowledge in this area and will answer all questions. Call us at (817) 717-3812.

Prepare for Your Taxes

When you’re not working, you’ll still owe taxes. Work with a Financial Advisor to get help and make arrangements for your taxes in the future. Reserve cash appropriately.

Invest Carefully

It is possible to see a good return on financial investment by investing in stocks compared to waiting for a cost savings account to grow. After the age of 50, you can take benefit of catch-up contributions to IRA’s and 401(k)’s, too. This works for both younger and older adults. Risk management is another of the 5 tips for saving money. It’s vital to saving no matter your age.

Know Exactly How Much You’re Spending

Take a look at your costs over the previous 3 months, utilizing your banking declaration. Compose what you believe you invested in purchases if you mainly utilize money. Start keeping a costs journal so you get a precise view of your expenditures. This can help you see where you may not have realized you’re overspending. You can also see where you are able to contribute more to various areas of your life. Being aware of your current spending habits can be eye-opening and help you build a brighter future for yourself.

Think about Consistent and Guaranteed Earnings

Talk with one our financial planning expert about establishing a plan that ensures earnings, maybe part of your retirement cost savings tool like guaranteed annuity earnings. In this manner, you’ll still be producing earnings, even in retirement.

To Sum it Up

No matter if you are middle-aged, or dancing with retirement in a few years, Virtus Wealth Management can help you make the right decisions to begin saving for your golden years. These tips for saving money can guide you in the direction you need to build some confidence that retirement will be ok.

Speak with  an advisor here at Virtus Wealth Management about these money-saving tips and other ways you can maximize your savings. Because the longer you wait the less time you have for securing your retirement and don’t you want to rest comfortably? Knowing your finances are in order? Pick up the phone and call Virtus Wealth Management at (817) 717-3812 and save for your future.

The information provided here is for general information only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice.

The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone.

Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

Traditional IRA account owners have considerations to make before performing a Roth IRA conversion. These primarily include income tax consequences on the converted amount in the year of conversion, withdrawal limitations from a Roth IRA, and income limitations for future contributions to a Roth IRA. In addition, if you are required to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) in the year you convert, you must do so before converting to a Roth IRA.

Roth IRA offers tax deferral on any earnings in the account. Qualified withdrawals of earnings from the account are tax-free. Withdrawals of earnings prior to age 59 ½ or prior to the account being opened for 5 years, whichever is later, may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax. Limitations and restrictions may apply.

Contributions to a traditional IRA may be tax deductible in the contribution year, with current income tax due at withdrawal. Withdrawals prior to age 59 ½ may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax in addition to current income tax.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.